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A Bunch of Grapes
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Jesus uses a number of analogies and illustrations when referring to Himself, but the one that rings throughout the New Testament is that of the vine. Today's piece of fruit is actually about fruit, It's about grapes. Notice I said grapes, not grape. Almost every other fruit is spoken of or asked for in the singular, but how many times have you heard someone ask for a grape.
I think grapes are fascinating, and there are a number of things we can review when discussing grapes. My favorite is what seems to be their indestructible properties, no matter what they seem to be resilient; from grapes, to grape juice, to raisins, to wine, but that is not what we are going to savor today. These bunch of grapes are just about that, their numbers. When you study the Bible, you will see that not only are we the branches that produce the grapes, but in many instances we are also the grapes that are produced.
The subject of grapes is an entire book, but right now you are to walk away with two things. One, as a branch are you producing fruit? Keep in mind that this word is plural. Two, as a grape on the branch, are you existing as a fruit? Again this word is plural. We are so into self and individuality, but you are not referred to as grape, it's grapes. The question is how do you relate to the other members of the bunch? How do others view you as a member of the bunch? Do you exist as part of a whole?
We the church don't function at the level of power because we exist in our communities as sour grapes.
This subject is so deep and vast that it is hard to find a cutoff point, but I'll end with this: For me it is interesting to note that at the time of judgment, Angels thrust their sharp sickles to gather a bunch of grapes.
Process these verses over and over again in your mind and see what they mean to you.
Revelation14:14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud [one] sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.
15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.
16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.
17 And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.
18 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.
19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast [it] into the great winepress of the wrath of God.